Published 7:38 am, Tuesday, March 18, 2014

A Houston firefighter was shot and killed by his 64-year-old neighbor Monday night after he mistakenly tried to enter her home after a night out with friends.

Samuel Keen, 27 of Porter, was spending time with friends on St. Patrick’s Day when he took a cab ride home to the 20600 block of Youpon Lane in Porter, said Lt. Brady Fitzgerald with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Keen may have mistaken the neighbor’s home as his own however Fitzgerald declined to confirm that theory and said the shooting is still under investigation.

According to Fitzgerald, around 9:30 p.m., the neighbor, who was home alone, heard a noise at the door.

When she looked out she saw a man on the front porch within the gated entry area. She yelled out through the door for him to leave and stated that she was armed.

At that point, Keen allegedly attempted to gain entry to the home. Using a small caliber revolver the home owner shot twice through the door, Fitzgerald said.

The woman, who’s name has not been released, then called the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

MCSO Major Crime Scene detectives and Montgomery County District Attorney’s office responded and found Keen in front of the home.

“It is believed that (Keen) was intoxicated when he went to her house,” Fitzgerald said.

Montgomery County Hospital District transported Keen to Ben Taub Hospital in Houston where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

No charges have been filed at this time but the case will be presented to the Montgomery County Grand Jury, Fitzgerald said.

Patti Ernsberger lives two houses to the north of the shooting scene. She said she never heard any gunfire at the time of the shooting.

“You’re always hearing gunfire around here,” said Ernsberger, who with her husband, have lived Youpon Lane for the past “15-20” years.

“It was a very tragic situation,” said Bob Erst, a neighbor who also lives on Youpon Lane.

Keen was a part-time employee of the Atascocita Fire Department, according to Atascocita Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Mulligan.

“This came as a shock to me,” Atascocita Volunteer Fire Chief William Bivens said. “Sam was a man that took care of his business. He was always on time and a good firefighter.”

The Houston Fire Department confirmed his employment, but declined to comment.